“Reproduction Drawing III (after the Leonardo Cartoon)” is a work by artist Jenny Saville, dating from 2009 to 2010. It is associated with the Neo-Expressionism art movement and falls within the genres of nude painting (nu) as well as sketch and study. The artwork features robust, overlaid line drawings that depict the human form with an intense, gestural quality.
The artwork presents a complex, layered composition, capturing the human body in a raw and immediate form. There is a palpable sense of movement and depth as the lines intersect and overlap, suggesting multiple perspectives and forms within a single frame. The bold strokes and dynamic contours create a sense of energy and vitality, bringing the subjects to life with a powerful sense of presence.
A closer examination reveals figures that appear to be engaged in an intimate embrace or interaction, with one figure holding a child. The fluidity of the lines suggests both the solidity and fragility of the human form. This interplay between linearity and volume, clarity and ambiguity, gives the drawing a suggestive and emotive character, inviting the viewer to untangle the narrative and emotional intricacies contained within the work.
In keeping with the characteristics of Neo-Expressionism, the artwork eschews precise realism in favor of an expressive, emotive approach that emphasizes the artist’s subjective experience and response to the subject matter. The raw and energetic execution of the drawing reinforces this focus on personal expression over technical precision.
